There
was virtually no discussion of foreign policy at the Republican National
Convention. This was entirely appropriate given the crisis and priority of
domestic issues. Yet I haven’t even seen a single article discussing this issue
at all, and it is going to be important.

Here
is the key factor: Mitt Romney, the Romney-Ryan ticket, and Republican
congressional candidates have a variety of choices on foreign policy. Some of
them can be bad and because there are different and complex issues the line
taken will not—and arguably should not—be consistent.

Of
course, there are the general principles: make America strong and respected
again; support the soldiers; help friends and make enemies sorry that they are
enemies. There must be an end to apologies and the defense of legitimate U.S.
interests. Popularity is okay but respect and trust are far more important.
Avoid either isolationism or excessive interventionism and get over the
democracy-solves-all naivete. Don't be chomping at the bit to go to war with
Iran as a supposed panacea.